Congress to Strengthen Nuclear Nonpro

A bill passed the House of Representatives last night that would add 25 nonproliferation jobs to the State Department, along with a whole host of measures to strengthen U.S. arms control and nonproliferation policy.

Adopted as an amendment, thanks to Representative Jim Matheson (D-UT), is s stipulation which reads that 120 days, or less, after this bill is enacted the Secretary of State should appoint a coordinator to implement the International Nuclear Fuel Bank.

Summary of other provisions in the bill include:

Develop immediately a plan to strengthen the capabilities of the Department of State to lead and participate effectively in all international negotiations and implementation fora in the field of nonproliferation and arms control.

The authorization of $3,000,000 for an additional 25 positions at the Department of State for arms control and nonproliferation functions.

The establishment of the Arms Control and Nonproliferation Rotation Program for employees of the Department of State and such other Federal departments and agencies. The Rotation Program would:

-provide midlevel Foreign Service officers and employees of the Department, and employees of other Federal departments and agencies concerned with arms control and nonproliferation responsibilities the opportunity to broaden their knowledge through exposure to other areas of the Department and such other Federal departments and agencies.

Establishment of a scholarship program (to be known as the “Arms Control and Nonproliferation Scholarship Program”) to award scholarships for the purpose of recruiting and preparing students for civilian careers in the fields of nonproliferation, arms control, and international security.

Establishment of a ten-member Scientific Advisory Committee to advise the President, the Secretary of State, and the Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security regarding scientific, technical, and policy matters affecting arms control and nonproliferation.

This Bill still needs to get through the Senate and a conference committee, but so far so good.

Events

Resources

Watch PSR Security Program's latest webinar to understand the details of the Iran Deal and what you can do to keep the deal safe from Congress. Featuring speaker Kelsey Davenport, Arms Control Association. Read more »

In this webinar, John Loretz of PSR's international affiliate, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, discusses the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the effort to rid the world of nuclear weapons on humanitarian grounds. Read more »